A woman has launched a lawsuit after she was arrested for being drunk and allegedly mocked in jail despite suffering from a life-changing stroke.
According to her lawsuit, a then 38-year-old Nicole McClure had been driving back from work on March 21, 2022, in Washington state, after complaining about dizziness and a headache.
As she attempted to navigate the roads, trooper Jonathan Barnes of Thurston County police noticed her erratic driving and pulled her over. Dashcam footage details their tense encounter, with Barnes drawing his gun, shouting commands, and ultimately handcuffing McClure, accusing her of evading police.
"Get out the car, get out the car," Barnes can heard shouting, gun drawn.
After McClure stepped out of her vehicle, the officer can be seen pushing her against the hood of his police car and handcuffing her.
In the distressing footage, McClure can be heard telling Officer Barnes that she was not inebriated and her last drink was "around 12 hours ago". He then asks her: "When’s the last time you used meth? When was the last time you used heroin?"
To which, McClure replies: "I haven’t — I don’t. [...] I’m confused. I think I’m tired."
Police records show that McClure was arrested on suspicion of intoxicated driving and felony evading.
Shockingly, instead of receiving urgent medical attention, McClure was allegedly detained in a cell at Thurston County Jail for a staggering 24 hours.
The lawsuit paints a troubling picture of McClure's treatment while in custody, alleging that her requests for medical assistance were ignored. McClure reportedly experienced mistreatment and negligence by jail staff, with allegations of being laughed at and dismissed when she sought help - despite struggling to stand and vomiting.
At one point, McClure's lawyer, Anne Vankirk, claims officers told her client to "have another shot".
Documents claim that the medical section of the arrest report was crossed out and "Did not ask" was written across it.
When McClure was finally taken to a hospital, it was only for a drugs and alcohol test - which came back negative, the lawsuit states.
Finally, the true extent of her condition was discovered, and doctors were forced to perform emergency brain surgery to relieve pressure caused by a frontal-lobe subdural hematoma. McClure was hospitalized for 17 days and left with a "severe traumatic brain injury ", Vankirk said.
"Nicole suffers from severe traumatic brain injury and remains unable to care for herself or engage with life in meaningful ways." Vankirk said, and emphasized that prompt medical attention could have significantly altered the outcome.
Per ITV News, state patrol spokesperson Chris Loftis said the agency is aware of the lawsuit but doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
Loftis also confirmed that Barnes wasn’t disciplined.
Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Tara Tsehlana confirmed thta the county has been served with the lawsuit, adding: "While we can’t discuss the specifics of any pending litigation, I can confirm that the safety of inmates, staff, and the general public remains a top priority for the Thurston County Corrections Facility."